Game.



No. 675,807. Patented lune 4, 190i. J. BERKEY.

GAME.

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SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 675,807, dated June 4, 1901. Application filed June 9,1900. fierial No. 19,740. (No model.)

To (LZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JULIUS BERKEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented a new and novel Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new and novel game designed to be played in parlors, halls, and in places provided with a comparatively flat horizontal surface and comprises a plurality of balls of suitable size inclosed within a frame and a swinging ball havinga cord or flexible attachment and suitable means under the control of the player whereby the swinging ball can be raised and lowered at the will of the player.

The invention also consists in the combination of parts and the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

The objects of my invention are to furnish a cheap, amusing, and scientific game; also, to furnish a game apparatus which can be used in any place having a horizontal plane, whether indoor or out of doors; also, to produce a game that will furnish exercise for the players and train both the eye and the hand. These objects I accomplish by means of the novel game illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 shows a perspective of a ball-retaining frame resting on the floor, together with one form of supportfor the playing-ball. Fig. 2 shows my preferred form of cord-support, the same being placed at the intersection of the supporting-frame shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows the rod or scepter in two parts, the two parts being detached. Fig. 4 shows an enlarged end view of one of the rods or scepter-s, illustrating the slot used for retaining the cord in position. Fig. 5 shows an enlarged perspective view of a pocket used for the purpose of attaching together the ends of the sections of the retaining-frame. Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the ball-retaining frame with two players using the rods or scepters. Figs. 7 and 8 show different forms of adjusting the ball-retaining frame. Fig. 9 shows a side elevation of my preferred form of ball which is played upon, the sides of the ball being flattened on six sides for the purpose of preventing it from moving too rapidly upon the horizontal surface. Fig. 10 shows a sectional view of a ball loaded on one side, and Fig. 11 shows a side elevation of the ball shown in section in Fig. 10. I

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A A show the ball-retaining frame. This ball-retaining frame is constructed in sections and the sections hinged together, so that the frame may be placed upon the floor or carpet or other horizontal surface and can be adjusted into various shapes and also so as to form pockets into which the balls retained by the frame are driven by the players.

In the example of my invention shown in the several drawings I have shown four pockets, which are marked 13 O D E. The frame, however, may be folded so as to leave a portion of these pockets closed and a portion open-for instance, in Fig. 8 the pocket D is closed, and any one of the pockets may be closed at pleasure. If but two players are engaged in the game at the same time, then two pockets alone may be left open. It will be understood that the adjustable frame can be adjusted into any required form or shape to suit the convenience of the players and to adapt the same into great variations in the game itself.

In Fig. 5, F F show my preferred form of bracket for attaching together the ends of the sections which form the pockets, H showing a bolt which attaches the bracket together and which bolt can be removed readily for adjusting its sections. I do not wish, however, to limit myself to any particular method of attaching together the sections of the frame, inasmuch as any well-known means may be employed.

The game may be played either by means of the support shown in Fig. 1, in which are seen two legs G G, held in upright position by means of the cord or wire A. In this form the cord J K passes over the loop L at the intersection of the legs G G. The playing-ball I is held in the hand of the player and attached to the part J of the cord. The other end of the cord may be attached to a short rod held in the other hand of the player. The ball J is swung by the player over the frame, containing the balls, which rests upon the floor. \Vhen in proper position, it is lowered by raising the end K of the cord until it is in proper position to strike the ball played upon within the ball-retaining frame. v

In the form shown in Fig. 6 the player uses a rod or scepter M, held in one hand. This rod or scepter is made in two parts preferably and adapted to be attached together. In said Fig. 6 I have shown two balls, (marked Z and X.) Now if the player at the right of said figure desires to drive the ball X into pocket 0 he swings the playing-ball beyond ball X in such direction that in its return by lowering it properly the playing-ball will strike the ball X and drive the same into the pocket. C. In case the player wishes to drive the ball X into pocket I he lowers his scepter as the playing-ball swings outwardly from him, striking the ball X and driving the same into the pocket 13. In practice the player usually swings the ball from his hand instead of swinging it with the scepter, the scepter being used as a support for the swinging ball and as a means for raising and lowering the swinging ball. The swinging ball may be made to swing in a straight line, as a pendulum, to or from the player or may be swung in anyrequired curve. If the player desires to drive the ball Z into the pocket E,he would launch the swinging ball I on such a curve as to strike the ball Z on its surface opposite the pocket E. In the form shown in Fig. 6 four players could engage in the game at the same time, each player striving to drive the balls into his own particular pocket.

By the construction and arrangement above described the number of players may be increased ordecreased at pleasure and the game may be varied to an almost unlimited extent. If the balls used are plain balls, each ball driven into the pocket by the player may count a certain number on the game; but with the balls shown in Figs. 1!, 10, and 11 each ball may count upon the game the same as it may be numbered, and again if the balls are colored of different colors each particular colored ball may count for its own number.

In Fig. 6 I have shown the ballu'etaining frame in the shape of a rhombus, with a pocket at each angle. This is one of the simplest forms of arrangement of the frame.

In Fig. 10 I have shown the loaded portion of the ball by 0, while in Fig. 9 I have shown the ball provided with a series of plane faces, (designated by the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.)

Having thus described my invention, what i I claim to have invented, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of an adjustable and folding retaining-frame, adapted to rest upon a plane horizontal surface, a plurality of balls each provided with a series of plane faces and arranged within said retaining-fra me, pockets formed by the adjustment of said frame, a propelling-ball swinging from any suitable support, and a cord connecting said propelling-ball with said ball-support, substantially as described.

2. In combination with apluralityof balls adapted to rest upon a horizontal plane, a ball-retaining frame constructed to adjust with pockets at its angles, into which pockets the balls are driven by the players, a propelling-ball attached to acord and swung by the player in driving the balls into the pockets, suitable means for raising and lowering the propelling-ball during its flight, substantially as described.

3. In a game apparatus, a frame consisting of a series of sections, a folding pocket hinged to each corner of the said frame, balls arranged in the said frame and provided with a series of plane faces, a propelling ball adapted to engage said balls for forcing the latter into the said pockets, and suitable means for raising and lowering said propelling-ball during the movement thereof, sub stantially as described.

4. The combination with an adjustable frame adapted to fold into different forms or shapes, a series of folding pockets hinged to said frame, a horizontal surface upon which the said frame rests, the plurality of balls incloscd by the said retaining-frame, a propelling-ball supported by a cord, a suitable support connected to the said cord for raising and lowering the propelling-ball.

5. The combination of an adjustable frame provided with folding pockets, a horizontal plane upon which the said frame rests, a plurality of balls each having a series of plane faces and inclosed within the said ball-retaining frame, a propelling-ball sustained by a cord, and suitable means for raising and lowering the propelling-ball.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JULIUS I E R KE Y.

Witnesses:

E o WARD TA (1 GART, ELIZABETH J. PHILLIPS. 

